Dental vibratory matrix



March 22-, 1927.

T. TERAGAWA DENTAL VIBRATORY MATRI X ll! lll l [NVE/VTOR. I 72x50 Tax/warm. /lhy:

Filed Feb. 1. 1926 Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES TAKEO TERAGAWA,1OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DENTAL VIBBATOBY MATRIX.

Application filedFebruary l, 1926. Serial No. 85,270.

The present invention relates to an improved matrix device for'use in dentistry, and its objects are to simplify the porcelain technology in ceramic crown and bridge dentistry, and to expedite the processes pertaining thereto.

Another object is to avoid the danger of dismembering. the porcelain tip or saddle, before it is subjected to the baking process.

Another object is to produce on the porcelain tip, a smooth sharp-angled shelf or abutment which is absolutely necessary and essential in the drawing of a perfect wax pattern in making perfect fitting gold backanother object is to provide means for vibrating the matrix whereby the porcelain powder is better lubricated and much more quickly condensed, and to provide means for adjusting the vibrating elements whereby to graduate the degree of vibration. Another object is to provide improved clamping elements for the matrix, whereby theporcela in tip or saddle is automatically held in perfect adjustment in the desired position, and the engaging and disengaging of theporcelain facings is simplified.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a vibratory matrix of the character mentioned which will embody simplicity and efficiency without liability to get out of working order. which may be made within reasonable limits as to cost of production, and wlnch may be readily operated wlthout skilled knowledge on the part of the initiate or instructed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter be made to appear, the invention consists in the featuresjof construction hereinafter particularly described and then sought to be clearly defined by the claims. reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vibratory dental matrix embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the vibrator spring. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of the device arranged for double capacity. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the form shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of the device.

' Fig. 8 is. a side view of the form shown in r Flg. 7. Flg. 9 is an enlarged and fragmentary detail view showing the device in use.

Referring to the drawings, the plate member 11, has an aperture 12 adapted to receive a tooth form 13, and includes a depending flange 14:, to which is attached the handle 15. A holding member 16'is connected by hinge elements 17 with plate member 11, and serves to support the tooth form when the same is insertedin aperture 12, the arrangement being such that the edge of holder 16 is parallel with flange 1 1 in operative position. Holding member 16 has a'depending flange 18 and a stud 19, in which is mounted a plunger 20, adapted to engage with the annular flange 21, on platemem: ber 11. Thisflange has a small hole 22 in which plunger 20 engages inoperative position of the holder. A spring 23 serves to actuate plunger 20, being interposed between flange 18 and a collar 24, on the plunger. The holding member 16 has other depending flanges 25, which may be pressed by the I operator for adjusting the holding member.

The handle 15 has mounted therein a toothed wheel 26. A vibratory spring 27, extends'in slot 28 in the handle. and has a series of adjustment holes 29. A screw 30, in the extremity of the handle 15, serves to bind thespring 27 in an operative position, and engages with one of holes 29 for adjustment. The handle has an outer portion 31,

-which is slidable upon the shank portion of handle 15, and is adjustable to and from the holding parts of the device, being secured in adjusted position by a set screw 32. engaging with said shank portion. The vibratory spring 27 engages with the toothed wheel 26, and when the wheel is rotated, the

spring will produce a seriesof vibrations in all parts of the holding elements. By suitable adjustment, the spring will engage with a more or less deeper bite in the toothed wheel and produce corresponding stronger or weaker vibrations. The wheel 26 is rotated by the thumbof the operator and the vibrations serve to settle and condense the porcelain powder the more quickly in the processes for which the matrix isintended.

A movable jaw member 83 has integral supporting rods 40, which pass through flange 14c, and serves to support the tooth form when the same is mounted in aperture 12. Springs 41 serve to actuate the movable jaw member, and render the same automatically operative. The plate 42 connecting rods 40, may be pressed by the operator to move the jaw member to its release position.

purposes intended. "however, that I do not wish to be limited to the precise details'of construction exhibited The spring 27 is adjustable ,to produce stronger or weaker vibrations as desired, and the outer portion 31 of the handle is adjustable to make the handle longer or shorter as may be desired. It may be notedthat aperture 12 has a notch 10, to receive a longer tooth or: to hold the tooth in a different position.

In the modified form shown in I and 6, the main plate '34 is fixed to the handle and has two -apertures 35. The top holding member 36, has similar apertures. The vibratory elements-and holding elements are similar to t'hecorres'ponding elements in the device shown in vliligs. 11,2, 3 and i.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the main plate 38, :has mounted thereon a slidable holding member 39. The remaining vibratory and holding elements are similar to corresponding elements shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and :4.

In the use of this device, the tooth form is supported as shown in 9. The processes may be readily carried on by the operator. The actuation of the vibratory elements by the operator serves to distribute and to quickly condense the porcelain powder that may be used in the process, and 'to cause the lubricator therefor to more quiclrly permeate the powder. The tooth form is quickly "clamped in position, automatically retained in clamped position, and as quickly released. Through'the vibratory mechanism, the processes are considerably hastened, thereby saving much time. The device further tends to "secure perfect abutment edges for porcelain facings, and for fittinggold backings. The movable jaw actuated by springs, serves as a self-retainer for the porcelain facings.

The drawings illustrate a complete "embodiment'of my invention according to the best mode I have so far devised for its :prac- 'tical application, and the "elements shown and described are well adapted to serve the It is to be understood in the drawings, but contemplate employingany modifications thereof, that may :fall within the scope of the invention and the appended claims. The holder or cover 16, when the tooth form is .to be removed from the matrix, may be turned back, leaving a straight edge on the rtooth, whereby the same maybe readily removed.

I claim:

1. In a dental matrix of the character set forth, the combination with a main plate member having an aperture therein to receive a tooth form, of a spring-actuated -movable jaw mounted rin opposed relation to the main plate member, .a cover plvotally mounted relative to the mainfplate member and to swing to an operative position in opposed relation to the movable finember, and means for holding the said cover in any adjusted position.

2. In a dental matrix of the character set forth, the combination with a main plate member having an aperture therein adapted to receive a tooth form, of a spring-actuated movable jaw mounted in opposed relation to the said main plate member, a cover pivotally mounted relative to .the main plate memQ her, and capable of assuming an operative position in opposed relation to the movable jaw member, flanges depending from the said cover, a spring-actuated ,plunger mounted in said depending flanges 'and engaging frictionally with the edge of the main plate member, and a handle for the main plate member.

3. In a dental matrix of the character :set forth, the combination with a main plate member having an arcuate edge .and :having an aperture therein to receive a tooth form,

of a movable jaw member mounted in apposed relation to the main plate member and in opposed relation to said aperture, springs tending to force the movable flit-W .memberto its closed and operative position, a movable cover in-opposed relation to the movable jaw elements mounted in the-hair.

means, of a toothed Wheel mounted inthe handle and adapted for manual manipulation, and a vibratory spring mounted in the handle and having engagement with the toothed wheel.

6. In .a dental matrix of the character set;

forth, the combination with tooth "holding means, of a handle for the tooth holding means, a toothedratchet wheel mounted in the handle and having its periphery pr'ojecting from the side'of the .han-dlefor manual manipulation, a vibratory spring mounted in the handle and having engagement with the peripheryof the said ratchet wheel, and means for adjustingthe spring to engage more or less deeply with the teeth of said wheel.

7. In a dentalmatrix of the character set forth, the combination with tooth holding means, and a handle for the holding means,

of vibratory means mounted in the handle, and ad usting means for the vibratory means.

8. In a dental matrix of the character set receiving a tooth form, a spring actuated forth, the combination with tooth holding movable jaw mounted in opposed relation means, of springs automatically actuating to the depending flange portion, a swinging the holding means, a handle for the holding cover mounted on the plate portion and in 15 5 means, and manually actuated vibratory eleopposed relation to the said movable jaw ments mounted in the handle. member, a handle fixed to the flange portion 9. In a dental matrix of the character of the plate member, and manually actuated set forth, a plate member having a plate vibratory elements in the handle. portion and a flange portion depending In testimony whereof I hereunto .aflix my 20 10 from the plate portion, and an aperture at signature.

the junction of said portions capable of TAKEO TERAGAWA. 

